Yahoo Finance Drivers have been happily tossing their money at Tesla this year but the insurance may cause sticker shock — here's what you need to know
If you feel like you're seeing that shiny metal "T" more on the road, you're not mistaken. Electric vehicles sales are soaring, and Tesla is at the front of the convoy.
In the last five years, EV registrations have gone up 250%, according to Experian. And although the overall car market has been struggling through the year, in the first three months registrations were up a staggering 60%, says Automotive News.
And Elon Musk's car company is coming in strong: In the third quarter, it sold 42% more vehicles compared to the same time in 2021. The company delivered 343,000 cars globally in Q3 of 2022.
But even though many Americans have decided a Tesla is worth the high sticker price, they might face a challenge when it comes to finding affordable insurance for these technological and ecological marvels.
According to ValuePenguin analysis, the average cost to insure a Tesla is $3,947 a year — but how much you’ll pay depends on some other important factors.
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Why do Teslas cost more to insure?
While you’re going to save hundreds a month on gas, any electric vehicle will generally cost you more to insure.
Why is that? Car insurance companies come up with rates based on a whole range of factors. So even if you have a spotless driving record, live in a low-crime area and take advantage of some driving discounts, your rate is still likely to go up compared to your gas-powered car.
That’s because electric vehicles cost more outright and are more expensive to repair. The insurance company may deem you low risk to file a claim, but if anything happens to your car, it’s going to mean costly repairs. So your premiums are set high to reflect that risk.
If your premium with a gas-powered car is $1,000 a year, you’ll probably pay $1,250 with an equivalent electric car, according to ValuePenguin. As a luxury car, Teslas are pricier still.
ValuePenguin has reviewed how much it would cost each year to insure the various Tesla models available. Among other factors, these averages assume the owner is a 30-year-old man with a clean record and good credit score living in Texas:
Tesla Model 3: $3,386
Tesla Model S: $4,956
Tesla Model Y: $4,275
Tesla Model X: $3,057
And other car companies, including Chevrolet and Ford, are offering Tesla a run for its money in the EV market, so be aware of the potential for higher insurance costs across the brands.
Of course, your rates will vary from insurer to insurer — which is why you should always compare quotes from multiple insurers.
How do other costs stack up?
Most electric cars generally cost more to buy than standard vehicles. And when they’re damaged, you may have a harder time finding a mechanic qualified to repair them — in addition to requiring more expensive and difficult-to-source parts.
Damaged batteries can add to your repair costs. If your battery’s leaking, your mechanic will have to take extra precautionary measures, which will be reflected in your bill.
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There’s also the need for a charging station. You should expect to have to pay somewhere in the range of $200 to $1,000 to install your own charging station before you hit the road.
Nevertheless, you can expect your new car to incur lower maintenance expenses overall. Electric cars also don’t need frequent oil changes or replacement radiator hoses, fan belts or gaskets.
So even with slightly higher insurance, your car budget shouldn’t have to change drastically.
Where do I go from here?
If you do purchase a Tesla or another EV and begin the process of switching over your insurance policy, don’t forget to ask your insurer if there are any promotions or discounts you can take advantage of to lower your costs.
And if you haven’t checked insurer options lately, you could be overpaying by as much as $500 a year on this essential policy.
Your best chance at finding savings on your auto insurance is to spend some time shopping around and comparing offers.
Typically, that might mean setting aside hours — or even a whole day — to call up different insurers just to provide them with your details to get an accurate quote. But in as little as three minutes, you can find the best deals on auto insurance — all in one place.
Don’t wait — give your budget a little breathing room and stop overpaying on insurance right now.
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
